Napkin-clasp



S. MLRYASON.

NAPKIN CLASP- APPLICATION FILED MAYlB, I921.

Patented Oct. 11, 1921;

unites stares PATENT oF IeE.

SAIvEUEL M. RYASON, 0F OQUAVVKA; ILLINOIS.

NAPKIN-CLASP.

Application filed May 18,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL M. Hansen, acitizen of the United States, residing at Oquawka, in the county of Henderson and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Napkin-Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in clasps and more especially to a clasp designed for attachment to the corners of a napkin and applicable to a body garment to support the napkin in properly draped position in front of the wearer.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to so construct the gripping members of the clasp that the same will firmly grip the napkin to which the clasp is applied without however in any way puncturing or otherwise damaging the article.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp with means adapting it to be readily applied to a body garment by simply pressing it against the garment and with out in any way injuring the fabric.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the manner of using the clasp embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of one of the clasps applied to one corner of a napkin;

Fig. 3 is a vertical front to rear sectional view through the clasp.

The clasp embodying the invention comprises two members one indicated in general by the numeral 1 and the other in gem eral by the numeral 2. The member 1 may be formed from an integral sheet metal blank and comprises a flat sided body portion 3 provided at its lateral edges with forwardly projecting parallel ears 4 through which a pivot pin 5 is passed, this p1n passing also through similar ears 6 formed at the lateral edges of the flat sided body 7 of the member 2, and the members being in this manner mutually pivotally connected. A spring 8 is suitably interposed between the bodies 3 and 7 of the members 1 and 2 as for example in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings and serves to yieldably hold the members swung upon their Specification of Letters Patent.

1921. Serial N0. 470,560.

pivot 5 with their upper ends separated and their lower portions in mutual contact. The members 1 and 2 are provided at their lower portions with flat sided gripping jaws indicated respectively by the numerals 9 and 10, the opposing faces of these jaws being maintained normally in mutual flat contact by the action of the spring 8. The jaws 9 and 10 are further provided with angularly deflected lips indicated respectively by the numerals 11 and 12, and if desired the said jaws 9 and 10 may be gradually widened in the direction or their lower edges at which the lips are formed, and the lips may be of greater width than the said jaws. In any event the lips are deflected rearwardly at an obtuse angle to the planes of the respective jaws 9 and 10 in the manner best shown in Fig. 3, and. it will be evident that the corner of a napkin 13 disposed between the jaws and lips will be gripped by the coacting faces of the jaws and lips, and because of the relative angular disposition of the jaws and lips will be securely frietionally held in place.

The body 7 of the member 2, above the pivot 5, is providedwith a finger piece indicated by the numeral 14: against which pressure may be brought to bear for the purpose of separating the jaws of the said memhere to permit of the introduction of the corner of a napkin between the same or to release the napkin.

In order that the clasp may be readily engaged with a body garment and securely supported thereon, the body 8 of the memher 1 is formed or provided at its upper corners with attaching spurs 15 which are directed rearwardly and thence downwardly as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and which are of small diameter and sharply pointed so as to readily penetrate the fabric of an outer garment against which the rear side of the clasp is'disposed and pressed. In this manner the clasp is adapted to be readily and quickly applied to and removed from any body garment and when applied will be securely supported in proper position as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Having thus described the inventiomwhat is claimed as new is:

1. A clasp comprising pivotally connected members each having a flat gripping jaw provided with an engula-rly deflected lip, and means yieldebly holding the members swung upon their pivot with the said jaws and lips of the members in mutual contact.

2. A clasp comprising pivotally connected members each having a. flat gripping jaw provided at its lower edge with a lip deflected at an obtuse angle in a rearward direction, and means yieldably holding the 10 members swung upon their pivots with the said jaws and lips of the members in mutual contact.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SAMUEL M. RYASON. [1 5. 

